Rehman tests positive

Karachi: Pakistan left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman is facing a two-year ban from cricket for failing a dope test in England.

The 32-year-old spinner was representing Somerset in County cricket last month and is not part of the Pakistan squad that is taking part in ongoing World T20, in Sri Lanka.

According to a report in a local daily in Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board about Rehman flunking the test.

Rehman is the 17th player worldwide and third from Pakistan to have failed a dope test.

The PCB has withdrawn Rehman from the upcoming Champions League T20 in the wake of the development. Rehman was in the squad of the Sialkot Stallions.

Though not part of the World T20 squad, Rehman is a regular member of the Test and one-day squads.

The 32-year-old may be ruled out of Pakistan's tour of South Africa in early 2013 if he receives a lengthy ban.

The length of the suspension will be determined under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, to which the ECB and all counties are signatories.

Rehman played a total of four Championship matches for Somerset last season, taking 27 wickets at an average of less than 15.

Rehman though claimed that he has not consumed any prohibited medicines or substances.

“Frankly speaking I really don’t know how this test has come positive... Because I don’t remember taking any medicines or prohibited items that might contain banned substances,” Rehman said from London.